COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The University of Maryland track and field teams will begin their post-season action this Friday through Sunday at the ECAC/IC4A Championships. The Terps will face tough competition in Princeton, N.J., since athletes are eligible to compete only after meeting specified qualification standards. Fortunately, with several key players now back from injury, the Maryland squads are ready for action.

The 2003 ECAC/IC4A Championships

The 127th annual ECAC/IC4A Championships will be held in Princeton, N.J., from Thurs. May 15 to Sun. May 18. The site of competition is William Weaver Stadium, with warm-ups taking place on nearby Finney Field.

Thursday's competition includes the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon, which begin at 1 and 1:30 p.m., respectively.

Friday begins with more decathlon action at 11 a.m. and concludes with the women's 10,000 meter run at 8:45 p.m.

Saturday's competition will start at 11 a.m. with the men's hammer throw and 4x100 meter relay trials. The day will end at approximately 7:45 p.m. with the women's 4x400 meter relay.

Sunday marks the final day of the championships, with the women's high jump and men's shot put slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. The final event of the weekend will be the men's 4x400 meter relay at 3:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony to follow.

Live results from the ECAC/IC4A Championships will be available at the ECAC web site.

Representing the University of Maryland...

The women's team boasts nine individual athletes qualified the ECAC Championships. Additionally, both the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams have reached the ECAC qualifying standard.

Kierra Foster is the Terps' lone freshman in the ECAC's and is the only Terp to qualify for two events: the 100 meter hurdles (14.13) and long jump (20-8). Her 20-8 long jump set a new school record and also qualified her for the NCAA Regional Championships.

The men's team has three individuals qualified for the IC4A Championships: Frelow in the 400 meter dash (47.81), junior Harold Manning in the 200 meter dash (55.10) and senior Mike Prada in the 10,000 meter run (30:56.96).

Looking Back At Last Year

The 2002 ECAC/IC4A Championships saw several Terps earning All-East honors. For the men's team, this included Dontae Bugg and Phillip Barrett, who finished fifth and eighth in the 110 meter hurdles, respectively.

On the women's side, Thema Napier claimed victory in the 400 meter hurdles, setting a Weaver Stadium record of 57.73, and Toni Jefferson took fourth place in the 100 meters.

Indoor All-American Ruth Kura set a new school record in the hammer by throwing a distance of 183-0, finishing in fourth place.

Rounding out the women's team total of six All-East honors were Amber Stanley in the 100 meter hurdles (fourth), Tracy Ojeniyi in the shot put (fifth) and Tia Burley in the 400 meter dash (eighth).

Notching National Rankings

Dye is currently seeded ninth out of 49 athletes on the NCAA East division descending order list, and is 36th out of 154 athletes on the NCAA National list.

Foster is seeded 12th out of 48 long jumpers on the NCAA East division descending order list, and is 20th out of 117 athletes on the NCAA National list.

In the national Team Power rankings, Dye holds 22nd in the pole vault and Foster is ranked 12th in the long jump.